Engagement Trouble

Summary: Neji's in super trouble and Shikamaru came to his rescue, well, accidentally. NejiShika.

Disclaimer: Neji belongs to Shikamaru and vice versa and Naruto is not mine.

A/N: Crappy chapter again but thank you for all the reviews!

Chapter 6

Fuck you, Shikamaru! Why the hell did you do that! Nara Shikamaru consciously walked towards the market looking like a healthy tomato. He slowed down by a shop with a clear window and checked if his cheeks were still red and damn was it. He let out an exasperated sigh and scratched the back of his head. Neji wasn't only a bastard. The Hyuuga was definitely pesky! And bothersome! And… beauti—NO! Neji's an asshole! Argh! What was he thinking about!

"Young man, are you okay?" An elderly man asked, passing by. Oh great now he was attracting attention because of too much thinking about Neji. Argh! Why was he thinking about him?

Shikamaru plainly nodded at the man and continued walking. First of all, why was he feeling all strained and tense? You want to know? Well, it all started two hours ago when… when they visited the kimono shop.

—--

Okay so nearly two hours ago, Shikamaru and Neji went to the Hyuuga clan's couturier. From the way Shikamaru saw how tortuous and troublesome a big aristocratic family and its traditions can be, he can never thank the heavens much. He was thankful enough he was born a Nara. When the lazy nin saw the shop, a fly almost went inside his mouth. Nara Shikamaru who never cared for anything except clouds and sleeping for the first time knew the meaning of 'awe.' The shop that looked like a not-so humble piece of abode and could compete with the Hyuuga mansion's intricate designs was too big for a shop. One would be terrified of stepping into such opulent house when you might accidentally break some of the highly expensive vases. A shudder almost passed Shikamaru's body. Even the receiving area where both nins were ushered in by five geisha-looking women could contend with the Hyuuga's reception room.

Neji explained to him that the Hatsumomo (1) House was making kimonos for the Hyuuga ever since. The lazy nin inferred that this shop wasn't just a tacky piece of kimono couturier—hell, he doesn't even know the road where the shop was located! He knew better than to assert it was an uptown road for rich people alike. Shikamaru thought how much a single kimono would cost. Neji replied that it was worth more than his life, in the least of manners.

Well, trouble wasn't giving them a free time that day, almost. When the head House welcomed them, Shikamaru could only think for the worst. Neji foreboded trouble. The old woman who presumably was an octogenarian but walked and talked more gracefully than any woman Shikamaru knew gave them heartfelt greetings. Like those five women, she also presented herself in an elaborate kimono of red orange and light blue color. Her hair was placed in a bun with an ornate golden comb pinned atop, which reminded Shikamaru of Neji's outfit when they met at the park.

"Good day Hyuuga-sama and Nara-sama." The old woman greeted in a rather beautiful and youthful voice. "I believe you're here to pick a special kimono for your engagement, am I right?"

"Yes." Neji said respectfully. Wow. Shikamaru never thought Neji was capable of doing such courteous manners.

"It's been awhile since Hiashi-sama ordered us to prepare the best kimonos for a family relative. How old are you now, Neji-sama?"

"I'm nineteen, oba-san." Neji answered.

The old woman laughed softly. "Well then it's the just the right age for you to marry! I remember your mother and father sitting in this same room and ordering for a kimono for their wedding. I never thought that it has been that long since I saw them. Ah, nineteen years, indeed…."

So Neji's parents went here as well, Shikamaru thought. Of course, dumb ass they were Hyuugas! He glanced at Neji and saw him blushing. Cute. WHAT! What the hell was he thinking! Argh! It was downright troublesome!

"What's your name, Nara-sama?" the old woman asked as she turned to Shikamaru.

"Ah, Shikamaru." The lazy nin replied and found himself blushing, too. Amazing how the friendly approach the old woman—known to Neji as 'oba-san'—made him blush. Not only him but Neji as well. He never thought bastards knew how to blush.

"Ah, Shikamaru-sama. I've known Neji-sama since he was born and I've loved him like any child from the Hyuuga clan. I hope you will take care of him." the old woman finished off with a loving smile a mother might produce for her own child. Shikamaru found himself promising and Neji found himself blushing more—irritated that oba-san was treating him like a child and more irritated that he couldn't do anything to stop her from doing that.

"Well then, Neji-sama, I believe its time for you to fit some kimonos." The old woman said. She escorted Neji to the adjacent room revealed by the two sliding doors in front of them. Neji signaled for Shikamaru to wait for him so the lazy nin did.

When both had exited, the old woman returned and gave Shikamaru a soft knowing smile again. "I hope you would keep up to your promise, Shikamaru-sama." The old woman said with a sad look in her eyes, which was drowned by her beautiful smile. "Neji-sama needs you more than you'll ever know."

Shikamaru was left there staring at the door where the old woman stood a few seconds ago. Neji needed me? Shikamaru sighed. If only the old woman knew… Few minutes later, two of the five geisha-looking women appeared and offered Shikamaru some hot green tea and sweets. What was it with aristocrats that they pair green tea with sweets?

After about ten minutes and Neji still nowhere in sight, Shikamaru stood and went to the wide porch connecting to a garden. The sky was visibly overcast that day so Shikamaru opted to observe the beautifully trimmed garden. Flowers were everywhere and a small tarn was filled with gold carps and some turtles.

"How do I look?" A familiar voice reached Shikamaru's ears snapping him back to reality. He glanced towards Neji and was about to comment on how troublesome did the longhaired nin kept him waiting but no words came.

Neji was wearing a golden kimono with fine exquisite details exploring the silken dress. If Shikamaru saw how dumb his expression was, he would've slapped himself to death. Unfortunately, Neji, the old woman and two geishas—who were already giggling—were the only ones who can see him.

The old woman let out a soft laugh, too, together with the geishas. "I remember Hizashi-sama also wore the same face when he saw his fiancée in a bright kimono. And now look, I think were making history here, don't you think, Neji-sama?"

Neji was blushing too furiously to be able to answer the woman. Why did oba-san even brought up that story about father and mother! Argh! So troublesome! Dammit! Now he's talking like the lazy asshole. He would make sure to beat the crap out of Nara as soon as they step out of the shop.

Neji's uneasiness compared to Shikamaru's was trifle. Shikamaru almost ran out of the room! He was… he was fucking blushing like there was no tomorrow! Why? Because… because Neji looked so… so…

"He's beautiful, isn't he, Shikamaru-sama?" the old woman said. There. Oba-san already said the word Shikamaru couldn't say. Argh! Wait a minute! He thought… he thought that Neji was beautiful! He wanted to die right then and there.

But unfortunately he didn't die right the and there. For another hour or so, Neji fitted different kimonos with intricate designs and modeled them for Shikamaru. Remind you, modeled. Well, in the first place Neji didn't want Nara to accompany him here but his uncle demanded so objecting would be lethal. He 'modeled' several kimonos to the lazy nin who looked more interested on running towards the door than look at him.

Shikamaru couldn't help but stare in admiration on how beautiful the kimonos were. He might feign boredom but the truth was he really anticipated Neji's 'modeling.' He didn't know why Neji would always ask him if the kimono looked okay. Shikamaru thought that Neji looked pretty whatever kimono he fitted. Oh holy heavens! Why did he think of that! He shook his head intensely making Neji look at him in confusion.

"What's wrong with you" Neji asked wit brows furrowed.

"I'm now having a headache." Shikamaru lazily replied. Neji almost slaughtered him. How dare him! All he ever did was look at him which to Neji's view was more perfunctory than willingness. He was the on who had the right to say that line! Grrr… Neji dismissed the very attractive thought of murdering his 'fiance' right then. With a snort, he returned to the fitting room.

Now, that's not the part why Shikamaru was cussing and all down the street. Here's the real reason.

On the umpteenth time Neji fitted a kimono, he wore a white one with small delicate lace-like patterns all over. The fitting room consisted of a big room with heavy silver curtains serving as divider. When Neji emerged from the fitting room, Shikamaru didn't know what the hell happened to the Hyuuga but suddenly Neji tripped and fell towards the floor, face first, instantly forming some colorful blasphemes.

"What happened to you?" Shikamaru asked.

"Fuck it, Nara! Will you just help me here!" Well, to explain further, Neji brought the heavy curtain with his downfall. Now, he looked like a heap of curtain and chiffon with a head poking amongst the fabric. Shikamaru stood up from his position and helped Neji on his feet. He extended a hand to Neji in which the Hyuuga gratefully accepted.

Neji who never ceased to curse that tiring day kept straightening his kimono downwards as he stood up. There was no one to help him so it made the situation harder. The Hyuuga who didn't looked up from what he was doing—a habit Neji formed from wearing kimonos for nineteen years—didn't realized he has a big piece of chiffon cloth draped over his head. Shikamaru lazily lifted the cloth up with two hands thinking that Neji might start cussing again. Damn it, by the end of the day he was quite sure half of his hearing ability would perish. Neji's mouth can be a lot like Ino, too! He somberly reminded himself not to totally piss Neji off.

Reacting to the movement, Neji looked up making eye contact with the lazy nin. And suddenly, that sole movement made Shikamaru recognized Neji's attractive face. Hell, he doesn't look into other people's faces. Who knows what kind of secret he might delve into once he gets too close? Shikamaru's trained eyes saw how smooth and white Neji's skin was. Did Neji used those demented creams they sell in the market which his mother and Ino (who proudly declares it) use or was it purely genetic?

Neji wasn't handsome; he was beautiful… more like a woman. The Hyuuga was prettier than any other woman he saw that he can be sure of. Then his urge to press his lips on Neji's became too strong that Shikamaru found himself slowly—almost unconsciously—lowering his head, slowly closing his gap from Neji. Neji's eyes were simply mesmerizing and nearly resembling clouds, almost drowning him. With both their noses already touching, Shikamaru could already feel Neji's hitching breath on his face.

"Neji…" Shikamaru whispered huskily, almost placing his lips on Neji when…

"Neji-sama, here's the next set of kimo—" A geisha walked in on them looking like that. Realizing her customers' situation, she suddenly turned pink and promptly excused herself.

With the spell broken and both men already staring closely at each other with a shocked look, Neji was first to formulate a reaction. A rather not-so nice reaction.

—--

"Damn it." Shikamaru muttered as he felt for his left cheek that ached again. Neji does look like a woman but his actions were more of a barbarian. Neji punched him with an iron fist but not before the lazy nin saw the Hyuuga's flushed cheeks. An action Neji wouldn't be able to hide because of the fine weather and scalding heat making the older boy's complexion paler.

Shikamaru thought that Neji should blame himself for being so beauti— no, no, no! The Nara boy grumbled some incoherent curses and walked towards their house while feeling for his aching cheek. Damn you, Neji. I don't like you. Never. Not in my lifetime.

—--

"Fuck it! Fuck it!" Neji growled as he walked towards his room. No one dared to question his irate manner as soon as he stepped in the mansion. Thankfully, his uncle wasn't home. He opened the door of his bedroom and closed it with a bang. Slowly, Neji leaned on the door, a hand covering his beet red face.

"What the hell happened!" Neji voiced weakly. First he was going ballistic because he tripped on the floor-length curtain and the next thing he knew Shikamaru's face was closing on him. He wanted to give the Nara boy a good jab on the abdomen but his body wouldn't move. His attention was riveted by Shikamaru's doe eyes and husky voice and he… he … argh!

Neji placed a hand on his chest feeling for his heartbeat. Damn, it was beating fast. He hated Shikamaru. Somehow, what took place at the kimono shop made Neji feel something stir inside him… something he never felt before? What was it? He shook his head and grunted. That Nara Shikamaru will surely pay for what he did; Neji would make sure of that.

TBC

A/N: I have to really apologize for this chapter again. I know it's a little skimpy and yeah I know you're sick of all the humor, don't worry drama will come soon. Review please? Make me smile. I'm still bombarded with too much school work.

(1) Hatsumomo is a geisha in the novel Memoirs of a Geisha. She belongs to Arthur Golden. I couldn't think of anything else so there you have it.